Councillors call for action to protect park after travellers arrive again

COUNCILLORS ARE calling for action to secure ground after travellers arrived at a park for the second time in the space of a month.

Hipperholme and Lightcliffe councillors say the group got on to The Stray at Lightcliffe on Saturday just days after a clear-up was completed from the last time travelling families were on the park at the end of May.

They are pressing for measures which may make the site harder for some vehicles to access.

Conservative councillors George Robinson, David Kirton and Joe Atkinson have discussed what measures can be taken to remove the travellers as soon as possible with West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council officials, but are frustrated about the time it takes.

They have asked for an urgent meeting to discuss what measures can be put in place.

Calderdale Council recently issued eviction notices to travelling families who had set up camp a few miles away at Shelf Park, Shelf.

Coun Robinson said the councillors were on The Stray and met with the police as soon as reports were received that travellers had returned.

In their request for urgent action, they set out the “frustration and anxiety” of the community and ask for a discussion of “preventative measures to prohibit unauthorised access,” he said.

Residents and businesses are being invited to give their views to support the councillors in their discussions, including sharing what measures they would back, such as tree planting or physical barriers, said Coun Robinson.

“I share the anger of the community that somewhere that is used by so many individuals and families every day has been taken over by travellers once again – especially coming so soon after we had completed the clear-up of the last time they set up camp on The Stray.”